News

Posted: Thu 29 Oct 2015

Case Study: Tony Briscoe

Colston Hall has been a cultural hub in the heart of Bristol for over 150 years. Home to the cities music education hub, Bristol Plays Music is the only hub in England based at a major concert hall. Reaching out to over 130 schools, special schools and music centres across the city. Giving 15,000 children the opportunity to learn, play and perform music.

In order to further develop Bristol’s inclusive music culture through education, and ensure that Bristol Plays Music reaches out to all children in Bristol by 2020, the transformation of Bristol Colston Hall is vital. To demonstrate this importance, Colston Hall has launched 45k for 45m, a campaign which calls on the support of 45,000 people across Bristol, the region and the country for the Hall’s transformation.

Educator and big name in the music and producing industry Tony Briscoe was one of the first three people to sign up to 45k for £45m. He understands what £45m means to Colston Hall and the delivery of music education across Bristol. Having mentored at the Remix Youth Ensemble, he has worked closely with young offenders, children in care and other hard to reach groups enabling him to experience first-hand the incredible impact music can have on young people’s lives.

He said,

Music offers a creative outlet, which helps to develop a sense of identity and purpose. This benefits society as a whole because it gives young people opportunities. So, Colston Hall is so much more than a building, it generates talent and transforms disparate groups into a collective.

Alongside his role as an educator, Tony boasts a life-time of experience in the music industry. From helping to pioneer UK garage music, to producing well-known artists such as Craig David, Beverley Knight and the Artful Dodger, Tony knows his music.

With a degree in Mathematical Physics and a PhD in Structural Acoustics, having the courage and opportunity to explore his interests, in synchrony with his talents, has enabled Tony to carve a career as a music technology consultant. He is the owner of independent record label “One in a Billion Records,” and has co-written songs with a number of Sony-signed artists. It is this belief in opportunity and education that led Tony towards working with Bristol Plays Music.

He explains

Bristol has been named the most musical city in the UK, so children need an environment which is reflective of that. New classrooms and technology labs would provide Bristol Plays Music with an inspiring place to educate all. I’m delighted that the transformed facilities will be accessible for the 1,250 disabled children in Bristol for the first time.

I share the Hall’s ambition for Bristol to become the UK capital of young people’s music by 2020. I hope others do too and sign-up to 45k for £45m.

45k for £45m calls on the support of 45,000 people across Bristol, the region and the country. This will help to illustrate the importance of Colston Hall’s transformation to Bristol and the South West.